Synopsis

On an island near Silver Rock Isle, Ash and co are reunited with their old friend Ritchie, who they haven't seen since the Indigo League. After they catch up, Ritchie tells them he's been on the lookout for the Mystery Pokémon of the Whirl Islands. They soon encounter a young boy named Oliver who was playing with an unusual Pokémon, a Lugia. However, it was much smaller and Oliver nicknamed it Silver. Eventually, they meet their old friend Luka, who takes them deep sea diving and find the child's parent. But are they the only ones interested in Lugia?

Debuts

Trivia

This episode is part 11 of the 13 part Whirl Islands arc.

Ash mentions encountering a Lugia in the Orange Islands during the events of Pokemon 2000.

Meowth contradicts the Pokémon 2000 movie by saying "I've never seen a Pokémon like that", when he sees Silver, but he had been involved in the events surrounding the Lugia there. He may have been confused by the size difference between the Pokémon 2000 Lugia and the baby one here.

Despite being a Legendary Pokémon, there are clearly multiple Lugias, as the adult one seen here is not the one encountered in Pokémon 2000. It is unknown if the movie Lugia could be related to, or even the other parent to, Silver.

For the first time, Jessie and James wear the standard black Team Rocket uniforms instead of their apparently unique grey uniforms. They quickly switch back however.

Somehow, Bayleef, Houndour and Hitmontop manage to have a battle on the open sea. They are not seen standing on the boat or submarines throughout.

First time since Battle Aboard the St. Anne that Ash has battled a large group of Team Rocket Grunts and second time it has ever happened.